ELMHURST, Ill. – North Park and Elmhurst split a CCIW softball doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Salt Creek Park, with the Vikings taking the opener 9-5 before the Bluejays responded with a 5-0 victory in the nightcap.
Game One – North Park 9, Elmhurst 5
North Park set the tone early in the opener, scoring twice in the top of the first inning. Senior left fielder Eden Baker led off the game by driving the first pitch she saw over the center-field fence for a solo home run. Senior center fielder Kayla Sapolu followed with a single, moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by freshman second baseman Miabella Collazo, and came home on an RBI single to center by senior catcher Katie Patton to give the Vikings a 2-0 lead.
Elmhurst threatened in the first two innings but came up empty, stranding runners in both frames. In the fourth, the Bluejays broke through in a big way. After loading the bases, Bella Swift connected for a grand slam to right-center field, part of a five-run inning that swung the lead to Elmhurst, 5-2.
North Park answered immediately in the fifth. The Vikings capitalized on traffic on the bases to score four runs and reclaim the lead. Patton delivered another RBI, and senior right fielder Sydney Snyder added a two-run double to right field. Freshman third baseman Chloe Bader also drove in a run as North Park surged back in front, 6–5.
The Vikings added breathing room in the sixth and seventh innings. Snyder doubled home a run in the sixth, followed by an RBI single from Bader. North Park tacked on an insurance run in the seventh to complete a 9–5 victory.
In the circle, freshman Abrianne Papas provided rock-solid relief for North Park, throwing 3.2 scoreless innings. She scattered two hits, did not allow a run, and worked efficiently to close out the game and preserve the league win.
Game Two – Elmhurst 5, North Park 0
Elmhurst responded with a strong pitching performance and timely hitting in the nightcap, handing North Park a 5-0 defeat to earn the split.
The two teams were locked in a scoreless battle through the first two innings, with Papas keeping Elmhurst off the board early. The Bluejays broke through in the third inning and steadily added to their lead across the middle frames.
Despite several hard-hit balls, the Vikings were limited to two hits in the game. Baker recorded a single, while Patton and Sapolu each reached base, but Elmhurst pitching held North Park without a run.
Papas returned to the circle in relief and again delivered quality innings, allowing Elmhurst traffic but limiting further damage and keeping the game within reach.
Top Performers
North Park
- Abrianne Papas – 3.2 IP (Game 1), 2 H, 0 R; steady relief appearances across the doubleheader
- Eden Baker – 3-for-4 (Game 1), HR, 2 R, RBI; added a hit in Game 2
- Katie Patton – 3-for-4 (Game 1), 2 RBI; consistently productive at the plate
- Sydney Snyder – Two RBI doubles in Game 1
- Chloe Bader – 3-for-4 with RBI in the opener
Elmhurst
- Bella Swift – Grand slam and four RBI in Game 1
- Danielle Hood – Key extra-base hit and multiple hits across the doubleheader
- Grace Hayes – Consistent on-base presence and run production
- Elmhurst pitching staff – Combined shutout of North Park in Game 2
What's Next?
North Park (13-19, 4-6 CCIW) continues a very busy week by hosting U-Chicago on Thursday, April 22. First pitch for game one is set at 1:00 PM CT.
